Portable abdominal and aerobic exercise mat

ABSTRACT

A portable combination exercise mat adjustable for varying degrees of difficulty is disclosed. The exercise mat combines abdominal, aerobic, weight lifting, and resistance exercises. The exercise mat is easy to produce, compact in size, inexpensive, and readily transportable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to floor exercise mats and more particularly to an exerciser that seeks to combine cardio, muscular development and abdominal exercises in one portable device.

2. Description of Related Art

There exist numerous types of exercisers ranging in cost from a few hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars. Often, these exercisers are limited to just one or a few exercise routines, and when enabled to do more tend to be large, heavy, expensive, occupy lot of space and cannot be easily transported. In case where an exerciser is relatively inexpensive and portable, it also tends to be very limited in the number of routines it is capable of performing. Typical of such exercisers are chest expanders that have springs positioned between two hand grips and can be used primarily to develop arm and chest muscles. Limited elongation of the springs and the design of the hand grips make it cumbersome to use these devices to develop any other muscle groups. Similar to these exercisers are stretchable elements, usually made of rubber or similar materials, but also suffering from similar limitations as the chest expanders. Other exercisers employing flexible loops that also usually include handles exist but seem to have difficulties in adopting the loops to the hand or the foot of the user.

A typical exercise mat is a heavy stationary device that may be used to do primarily sit-up type of exercise, thus developing primarily abdominal muscles. Even in case where a mat is portable, its functionality remains limited. Of the aerobic stepper exercisers presently in existence, some are single height and some are adjustable. Some also come with storage compartments for other items, such as weights. While these exercisers provide for good aerobic workout they lack the ability to develop abdominal muscles.

Examples of patented devices which are illustrative of such exercisers are U.S. Pat. Nos.: 6,220,994; 5,697,870; 6.623,270; 6,935,382; 4,905,990.

The exercise system according to the present invention solves all the above shortcomings by providing for aerobic, abdominal and chest, arm and leg muscle development in one inexpensive, compact and easily portable device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a simple, affordable and portable exercise system that enables development of many muscle groups.

It is an object of the present invention to combine several mat sections to accommodate different types of exercises.

It is another object of the present invention to connect the mat sections to each other and enable easy folding and transportation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide one or more steps in one of the mat sections.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an incline in one of the mat sections.

Yet another object of the present invention is to employ soft material in different mat sections and firm material in step section of the mat.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide for an adjustable incline in one of the mat sections.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for adjustable height of the step section.

It is another object of the present invention to have two steps in one of the mat sections.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a non-slip surface on the step section of the mat.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for an absorbent material on top of mat sections.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for anchoring feet while performing abdominal exercises.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an exercise system that is affordable, easy to store and requires minimal storage space.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to those with ordinary skill in the art after having studied the following drawings, description and the claims.

It is understood that while the drawings and the following discussion relate to a particular embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment merely represents what is presently regarded as the best mode of practicing the invention, and other modifications may be made to the particular embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the side view of an embodiment of the exercise mat.

FIG. 1A is another side view of an embodiment of the exercise mat.

FIG. 1B shows the exercise mat with one step up and the other step down.

FIG. 1C is the bottom view of the exercise mat.

FIG. 2 shows the exercise mat in its storage condition.

FIG. 3 shows the step support detail in vertical position.

FIG. 3A shows the step support detail in its horizontal position.

FIG. 4 shows the foot straps on the steps.

FIG. 5 shows external set of foot strap with weights.

FIG. 6 shows the detail of the frame.

FIG. 7 shows a resistance exercise band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The side view exercise mat 10 of this invention is first shown in FIG. 1, where 12, 14, 16, 18 and 22 are transverse sides of horizontal sections connected to each other by a strip 38 and 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21 are the longitudinal sides. Any material may be used for strip 38 as long as facilitates the folding process and has sufficient strength to support the horizontal sections while the exercise mat 10 is being transported. A person skilled in the art will be able to choose proper material to accomplish the dual purposes. Transverse sides 12, 14, 16, 18 and 22 and longitudinal sides 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21 may be made of any material strong enough to support a person and yet soft enough to facilitate the exercise process. A frame 30 shown in FIG. 1D would preferably be added between the transverse and longitudinal sides in order to increase the overall strength of the exercise mat 10. The frame 30 may be made of lightweight material like aluminum, plastic or other materials of similar strength. Typically, an injection molded foam or other soft material would be fitted between the transverse and longitudinal sides.

An aerobic exercise step 23 is formed by longitudinal sides 20 and transverse sides 19. Most commonly a person will step on and off the step from ground level in order to accomplish an aerobic work out. While there may be only one step 23, two steps 23 are preferred. Typically, the space between the sides of step 23 is filled with material firm enough to support the stepping action of a person stepping on and off the step 23. Attached to the step 23 are supports 22. Preferably, supports 22 are of adjustable height. The section of the step 23 that the supports 23 are attached to should be strengthened to better support the stress exerted by the weight of the person exercising. This may be accomplished by using hard plastic, aluminum, light steel or a similar material.

The transverse sides 18 and longitudinal sides 21 form an insert 25. The insert 25 may be made of soft padded material or it may be just a vinyl strap. If padded material is employed, the ends of the insert 25 should be beveled for a better fit with step 23.

The support 24 provides an adjustable angle incline to accommodate variety of abdominal exercise needs. The support 24 is preferably installed between mid point of the section and the distal end 25. The angle adjustment should help accomplish varying levels of difficulty that different users may wish to employ. The section of the exercise mat where supports 24 attach to should be appropriately strengthened to support the weight of the person exercising.

Shown in FIG. 1A is the exercise mat 10 in its horizontal position. The beveled edge 26 of the insert 25 and the beveled edge 28 of the step 23 are also shown.

FIG. 1B shows the exercise mat 10 in flat position except for the step 23 being in a vertical position. The exercise mat 10 may be used in this position for abdominal or stepping exercises.

Shown in FIG. 1C is the exercise mat 10 with one of the steps 23 in the horizontal position and the other step 23 in the vertical position allowing for certain leg exercises.

Turning now to FIG. 1D, the bottom view of the exercise mat 10 is displayed. Shown is the installation framework 34 for supporting the incline supports 36, frame 30, fill material 32, installation framework 42 for installing the step 23 supports 42. While supports 23 and 36 may be individual supports as shown, they may be of other shapes that are suitable for this construction. A person skilled in the art will be able to choose proper materials and support shapes to provide sufficient support and stability.

FIG. 2 shows the exercise mat 10 in its folded for storage or transport state. The handle 50 is used to carry the exercise mat 10. The handle 50 may be come in form of an attachment or it may be an integral part of the exercise mat 10.

Shown in FIG. 3 are the details of support 36. The support 36 rotates around the axis 52 and is attached to the framework 34. The support 36 is capable of locking in its horizontal and its fully extended vertical position. There are many commercially available devices that can be employed for this purpose. Preferably support 36 is adjustable in height.

FIG. 3A shows the support 36 in its closed horizontal position.

Shown in FIG. 4 are optional straps 58 that may be attached to step 23 in order to facilitate some abdominal exercises.

FIG. 5 shows an external set of weights 60 comprising foot straps 64 and handles 62. The weights 60 would be placed on top of steps 3 in order to provide greater resistance needed for persons of different weight while performing abdominal exercises.

Shown in FIG. 6 is the exposed section of frame 30. The frame 30 is surrounded by a cutout in a typically molded plastic material 32. This section of frame 30 may be suitable located in many positions on the exercise mat 10 in order to enable attachment of resilient materials or springs 70 shown in FIG. 7, where 72 is the attachment mechanism for attaching resilient materials or springs 70 to frame 30 and 74 is the handle for pulling on the resilient materials or springs 70 while exercising. 

1. A portable multi purpose exercise mat assembly comprising: several generally horizontal arranged members coupled to each other, wherein one member forms a step, at least another member provides horizontal surface, another member provides an inclined surface, and a carrying handle coupled to the member positioned generally in the center of the exercise mat assembly.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: first horizontal member having two longitudinal sides and top and bottom transverse sides, a proximal end and a distal end; at least one second horizontal member having two longitudinal sides and top and bottom transverse sides, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of said second horizontal member is foldably coupled to said proximal end of said first horizontal member; third horizontal member having two longitudinal sides and top and bottom transverse is sides, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of said third horizontal member is foldably coupled to said proximal end of said second horizontal member, said bottom transverse side further adopted with a rigid surface to receive at least one support member, said support members having an extended vertical position and a retracted horizontal position, said retracted horizontal position being generally parallel to said bottom transverse side, said at least one support member being fixedly coupled to said bottom transverse side, said third horizontal member generally forming at least one step when said at least one support member is in extended vertical position; fourth horizontal member having two longitudinal sides and top and bottom transverse sides, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of said fourth horizontal member is foldably coupled to said distal end of said first horizontal member, said bottom transverse side further adopted with a rigid surface to receive at least one support member positioned generally between the mid point and a distal end of said bottom transverse side, said at least one support member having an extended position generally vertical to said bottom transverse side and a retracted horizontal position, said retracted horizontal position being generally parallel to said bottom transverse side, said at least one support member being fixedly coupled to said bottom transverse side; and at least one carrying handle attached between the distal end of the second horizontal member and the proximal end of the first horizontal member.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein said horizontal members further comprise a rigid frame disposed between the longitudinal sides and the transverse sides.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein said third horizontal member further comprises at least one strap coupled to top transverse side and adopted to receive feet.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein a soft material is disposed between said longitudinal sides, said transverse sides and said distal and proximal ends of said horizontal members.
 6. The device of claim 3, wherein said longitudinal sides further define at least one void therein, said at least one void exposing said rigid frame.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein a spring force element is releasably coupled to said exposed rigid frame.
 8. The device of claim 2, wherein said at least one support member are between two and four support members.
 9. The device of claim 2, wherein said support members are hingedly and lockably coupled to said bottom transverse surfaces.
 10. The device of claim 2 wherein the top transverse side of the horizontal members further comprises liquid absorbing top surface.
 11. The device of claim 9 wherein said at least one support member further comprises height adjustment means.
 12. The device of claim 2 wherein said third horizontal member further comprises a non-slip surface disposed on said top transverse side.
 13. The device of claim 2 wherein said at least one step is further adopted to receive an external device capable of anchoring the feet of the person exercising. 